Eiermann Table

Egon Eiermann (1904–1970) is recognized as one of the most influential architects of postwar modernism. He held a professorship in architecture at Karlsruhe Polytechnic from 1947. Eiermann gained prominence not only for his notable architectural works, such as the new extension to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin (1957–63) and the parliament building of the German Bundestag in Bonn (1965–69), but also for his furniture designs, many of which are now considered classics of German design. The first version of the renowned Eiermann table was created in 1953, when Eiermann needed a practical worktable for himself. His design quickly garnered enthusiasm from students and colleagues, leading to the production of a small series of these tables for individual use in the workshops of the Department of Architecture. The original table has a welded tubular steel frame with a cross-brace inserted at an angle. In 1965, a version that could be taken apart was developed under the initiative of Eiermann’s assistant, Klaus Brunner. This version was also made in the workshops on site for individual needs and was not commercially available. Adam Wieland — who became head of the metal workshop for the Chair for Foundations of Architecture in 1963 — refined the design further by positioning the cross-strut vertically. Initially produced for students and faculty, these tables are still in use in various locations at KIT, found in offices and workshops across campus. In 1995, the rights to the product name “Eiermann” were acquired by a furniture manufacturer. Since then, the tables, offered in several variants, have become a sought-after item in high-end interior design. This table earned the Eiermann name a level of recognition that often surpasses the architectural work for which he is known, which today is sometimes considered somewhat dated. as